Bill Text: NJ AJR50 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates April of each year as "Minority Health Month" in NJ.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-14 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [AJR50 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AJR50-Introduced.html
No. 50
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2020 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman BRITNEE N. TIMBERLAKE
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Designates April of each year as "Minority Health Month" in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
A Joint Resolution designating April of each year as "Minority Health Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of a disease or condition among different populations; and
Whereas, Research suggests that health disparities result from the interplay of genetic variations, environmental factors, and behaviors; and
Whereas, Despite notable improvements in the overall health of Americans during the past two decades, there continues to be striking disparities in the prevalence of certain diseases and conditions among racial and ethnical minorities, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders; and
Whereas, Cardiovascular disease, which continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, disproportionately affects racial and ethnic minorities and accounts for approximately one-third of the disparity in potential life-years lost between African Americans and Caucasian Americans; and
Whereas, For adults over age 20, non-Hispanic African Americans, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives experience a higher prevalence of diabetes than non-Hispanic white Americans; and
Whereas, Certain racial and ethnic groups have an increased risk of developing or dying from particular cancers, and African Americans have higher death rates than all other racial and ethnic groups for many types of cancer; and
Whereas, The HIV/AIDS epidemic predominantly affects African Americans, who in 2007 accounted for nearly half of all Americans living with HIV/AIDS despite comprising only 13 percent of the U.S. population; and
Whereas, National Minority Health Month is celebrated every year in April to raise awareness about health disparities among different racial and ethnic populations in the United States; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper, and in the interests of the people of New Jersey and the nation, to designate April of each year as "Minority Health Month" in New Jersey and to encourage the citizens of this State to join in the observance of the month and raise awareness of health disparities impacting racial and ethnic minorities; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. April of each year shall be designated "Minority Health Month" in New Jersey.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Minority Health Month" in New Jersey.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates April of each year as "Minority Health Month" in New Jersey to coincide with National Minority Health Month, which is celebrated every year in April to raise awareness about health disparities among different racial and ethnic populations in the United States. Health disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of a disease or condition among different populations. Research suggests that health disparities result from the interplay of genetic variations, environmental factors, and behaviors. Despite notable improvements in the overall health of Americans during the past two decades, there continues to be striking disparities in the prevalence of certain diseases and conditions among racial and ethnical minorities, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.
